15 Indian seafarers killed in West Asia and Black Sea conflicts: Regulator

NEW DELHI: Conflicts in West Asia and the Black Sea have claimed the lives of 15 Indian seafarers, while two remain missing in 57 separate incidents over the past three months, India's maritime regulator, the Directorate General of Maritime Administration (DGMA), said Thursday, describing the current geopolitical situation as "extremely challenging".Addressing the National Port Security Conference in the national capital, DGMA Shyam Jagannathan said drone and missile attacks on defenceless merchant vessels had become rampant in parts of the Black Sea. "Piracy off the coast of Somalia is reappearing. The Houthi security threat, which accounted for more than 154 incidents in 2024, has resurfaced," he said.Jagannathan said the conflicts had significantly increased global logistics costs. He said since the end of Feb, the DGMA has been in an extremely high state of alert.The regulator said it had strengthened coordination for rescue operations, vessel movements and issuance of advisories, while ensuring compliance with best management practices for piracy response, validation of citadel preparedness and coordination among multiple security agencies.Following directions from shipping minister Sarbananda Sonowal, the DGMA has also put in place a mechanism to track every Indian seafarer operating in high-risk waters, making the administration accountable for their safety, security and early repatriation.Speaking at the conference, Sonowal said as India's maritime footprint expands, "responsibility to secure it grows".Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.